The ban on concealed guns was first lifted from late 2010 until 2012 and then reinstated for the past two years. While some Republicans said the rule had no practical impact on people's behavior, some Democrats said bringing guns into the House or Senate chamber goes against what the State House is all about.

"It's already happening and it's been happening for 200 years, so to ban it, to us, just didn't make more sense," said Rep. Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry.

While Republican leaders said people were ignoring the ban anyway, the move has some Democrats shaking their heads.

"I came to this House in 1972 as an elected representative," said Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, D-Manchester. "Guns were put in lockers, and that's where they should be. They shouldn't be in the chamber."

Second Amendment purists said the more guns there are in the State house, the safer it gets.

"It's constitutional, and we should be supporting what the Constitution says," said Rep. Joe Pitre, R-Farmington. "I carry one out of three days, and you pick the day."

An armed state trooper has always been stationed at the State House, but some contend that in a time of mass shootings, a lone officer isn't enough. They said it's a wise move to let law-abiding citizens keep their guns close at hand.

Senate Minority Leader Jeff Woodburn said he's less worried about firearms and more concerned about the message the rule change sends about priorities.

"What we need to be focused on in this building is issues that matter to voters and to people, and it's about them, not about us and our ideology," Woodburn said. "Let's be practical and focus on things that matter to people."

The committee rejected an attempt to permit open carry in the State House. The new rule also prohibits the brandishing of firearms.